Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pittsburgh, PA (2026)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has a population of about 303,620. The city’s median household income is $64,137 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 47.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 63 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Pittsburgh. In the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $125,870 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Pittsburgh
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 63 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Pittsburgh. Distances are calculated from Pittsburgh city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlow University | Pittsburgh, PA | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Duquesne University | Pittsburgh, PA | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | Pittsburgh, PA | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Point Park University | Pittsburgh, PA | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh, PA | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| La Roche University | Pittsburgh, PA | 9.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny | McKeesport, PA | 10.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Robert Morris University | Moon Township, PA | 13.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington | New Kensington, PA | 16.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Community College of Beaver County | Monaca, PA | 22.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is part of the Pittsburgh, PA metro area (BLS area code 38300). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Pennsylvania statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $125,870 | Pittsburgh, PA | $132,914 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | PA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $101,930 | Pittsburgh, PA | $107,635 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $85,430 | Pittsburgh, PA | $90,211 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $82,270 | Pittsburgh, PA | $86,874 |
| Correctional Officer | $61,150 | Pittsburgh, PA | $64,572 |
| Probation Officer | $74,890 | Pittsburgh, PA | $79,081 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $50,640 | Pittsburgh, PA | $53,474 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $60,710 | Pittsburgh, PA | $64,108 |
| Information Security Analyst | $103,470 | Pittsburgh, PA | $109,261 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Pittsburgh at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,137 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 47.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 94.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Pittsburgh-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Bethel Park, PA – 8.6 mi away (31,911 pop)
- Monroeville, PA – 11.4 mi away (27,953 pop)
- Plum, PA – 12.7 mi away (27,399 pop)
- Murrysville, PA – 16.9 mi away (20,042 pop)
- Monessen, PA – 20.5 mi away (63,467 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice schools are near Pittsburgh, PA?
Our directory has 63 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Pittsburgh. The closest is Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Community College of Beaver County (22.9 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Pittsburgh?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Pittsburgh are: Attorney ($125,870), Information Security Analyst ($103,470), Police Supervisor ($101,930). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Pennsylvania statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Bethel Park instead of Pittsburgh?
Bethel Park, PA is 8.6 miles from Pittsburgh and has its own set of local criminal justice programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Pittsburgh an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Pittsburgh’s median household income of $64,137 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Pittsburgh while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Pennsylvania public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
- Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pennsylvania
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pennsylvania (2026)
Return to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pennsylvania (2026)